Last year's Big Tour overall winner Hamad Nasser Al Qadi in action in this file photo.
Doha: The stage is set to launch the start of the new show jumping season at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) Indoor Arena from this week, details showed yesterday.
According to the calendar made public by QEF, the first round of 12 will begin tomorrow with the first leg ending on Saturday.
The hugely popular series - now into its fourth year - is the brainchild of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Hathab series was launched in 2017 with the first edition that offered a total prize of QR1.2m.
Hathab meaning ‘Canter’ in Arabic, is aimed at improving the standard of horse riding among Qatari youths while encouraging the involvement of private stables and individual horse owners to grow awareness of horsemanship as part of Qatar’s history and tradition.
The QOC and QEF are keen to build a strong rider base in the country that has featured at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
One of the key legs of the season will be the Amir’s Sword Championship round set to be held in February next year.
The season finale will be held at Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab, QEF said while releasing the calendar details yesterday.
The 12-round series will have the first four legs at QEF’s Indoor Arena followed by eight rounds at Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab.
Individual and team competitions will be held in three categories namely Small, Medium and Big Tour. Future Riders’ Class competitions will also be held.
Organised chiefly by QEF and Al Shaqab, the popular series is sponsored by Longines, ExxonMobil, and Salam International.
Hathab Tour 2020-21
Round 1: October 8-10 (QEF Indoor Arena)
Round 2: October 22-24 (QEF Indoor Arena)
Round 3: November 5-7 (QEF Indoor Arena)
Round 4: November 19-21 (QEF Indoor Arena)
Round 5: December 3-5 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 6: December 10-12 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 7: December 31-January 2 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 8: January 14-16 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 9: January 28-30 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 10: February 25-27 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 11: March 4-6 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
Round 12: March 25-27 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab)
